Want to dive into the natural beauty of Indonesia's islands? Fantastic!
This guide will take you through the top 20 islands in Indonesia, highlighting their breathtaking natural aspects to ensure you discover all the wonders you seek!
When you explore Indonesia, don't forget to bring along your iRoamly Indonesia travel eSIM, allowing you to effortlessly share your awe-inspiring natural encounters with family from every captivating island.
Let's embark on this journey into nature's paradise!
Basic Geographic and Climate Information
Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, each offering something unique. Located in Southeast Asia, the islands stretch between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
From world-class beaches and vibrant nightlife on Java to the remote, pristine beaches of Raja Ampat, there's something for everyone.
The weather is tropical, with two seasons: wet (November-March) and dry (April-October). Temperatures are typically comfortable at 28-30°C (82-86°F), depending on location.
Most people travel by plane, as it's the fastest way to get around. Ferries and boats offer a more scenic way to island-hop, with stunning views, though schedules can change due to weather.
20 Best Indonesian Islands
1. Bali
Bali, the "Island of the Gods", is a living museum of a vibrant culture that offers visitors a broad array of attractions.
Location: Lesser Sunda Islands
Main Activities: Beaches, temples (like Tanah Lot), surfing, and arts.
Best Time to Visit: April to October, during the dry season.
How to Get There: Fly directly to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.
2. Lombok
Lombok is often considered the quieter sibling of Bali, but this small island variety of awesome, untrammeled natural beauty.
Location: West Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Mount Rinjani, Gili Islands, diving, and snorkeling.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.
How to Get There: Direct flights to Lombok International Airport or take a ferry from Bali.
3. Komodo Island
Home to the Komodo dragons that roam it, this rocky island is the center of its park, a popular spot for divers and nature-lovers.
Location: East Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Komodo dragons, diving, Pink Beach.
Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to November.
How to Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo, followed by a boat trip.
4. Flores
Flores is a small, volcanic island with a fascinating culture. It is famous for its unusual lakes.
Location: East Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Kelimutu volcano, traditional villages, diving.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.
How to Get There: Fly to airports such as Maumere and Ende.
5. Sumbawa
Though it’s not as touristy as Bali, the island of Sumbawa is a mecca for surfers, those looking for cultural experiences in traditional villages, and trekkers prepared to climb the active volcano, Mt. Tambora.
Location: West Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Surfing, Mount Tambora, traditional villages.
Best Time to Visit: April to December.
How to Get There: Fly to Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport.
6. Sumatra
Sumatra is the sixth-largest island on the planet and is known for its extensive range of wildlife, tropical rainforests, and rich indigenous heritage.
Location: Western Indonesia
Main Activities: Lake Toba, Orangutans in Bukit Lawang, surfing in Mentawai.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.
How to Get There: Many airports such as Medan and Padang offer connections.
7. Java
Home to Indonesia’s capital city, Java is the country’s political and economic core. It also counts with the most population in Indonesia.
Location: Central Indonesia
Main Activities: Borobudur Temple, Yogyakarta, volcanoes, Jakarta.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
How to Get There: Several international and domestic airports are available.
8. Borneo (Kalimantan)
Kalimantan is the name of the Indonesian part of Borneo. It is famous for its wide rainforests, which are known for their diverse wildlife, including orangutans.
Location: Central Indonesia
Main Activities: Rainforests, Orangutans, and traditional Dayak culture.
Best Time to Visit: March to October.
How to Get There: Fly to Balikpapan or Pontianak.
9. Sulawesi
Sulawesi is known for its unique peninsulas encircling a mountainous interior, providing extraordinary biodiversity and cultural experiences.
Location: North-eastern Indonesia
Main Activities: Tana Toraja, Bunaken National Marine Park, diving.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
How to Get There: Major airports are in Manado and Makassar.
10. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is a collection of breath-taking islands known for having the richest marine biodiversity, making it most sought after by divers and snorkelers.
Location: West Papua
Main Activities: Diving, pristine beaches, bird watching.
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
How to Get There: Fly to Sorong and take a boat to the islands.
11. Sumba
Sumba is famous for its rigid tribal culture, traditional use of thatch in housing, and the yearly Pasola festival, a traditional ritual jousting on horseback.
Location: East Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Pasola festival, traditional villages, surfing.
Best Time to Visit: Dry season, particularly during the festival in February/March.
How to Get There: Flights are available to Tambolaka or Waingapu.
12. Ternate
Ternate in North Maluku is one of the historical spice islands to visit, with ancient forts to explore, and gently-smouldering volcanic panoramas.
Location: North Maluku
Main Activities: Visit the Sultan’s palace, explore forts, enjoy volcano hikes.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
How to Get There: Take a flight to Sultan Babullah Airport.
13. Bintan
Across the Singapore Strait is Bintan, a tempting destination with a great resort, several golf courses, and nice white sand beaches.
Location: Riau Archipelago
Main Activities: Luxurious resorts, golfing, beach outings, historical exploration.
Best Time to Visit: March to October.
How to Get There: Take a ferry from Singapore or fly into Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport.
14. Belitung
Belitung is known for its beautiful beaches, which boast white sand, crystal clear water and huge granite boulders.
Location: Bangka-Belitung Islands
Main Activities: Beautiful beaches, explore granite rock formations, island hopping.
Best Time to Visit: April to October.
How to Get There: Fly to H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport.
15. Nusa Penida
A short trip from Bali, Nusa Penida captivates its visitors with dramatic cliffs, azure waters, and extraordinary snorkeling experiences.
Location: Bali Province
Main Activities: Discover Kelingking Beach, diving, snorkeling adventures.
Best Time to Visit: April to October.
How to Get There: Take a ferry from Bali.
16. Bangka
Teamed up with Belitung, it makes up the Bangka-Belitung province, known for its tin-carrying rivers and unique pearly-white beaches.
Location: Bangka-Belitung Islands
Main Activities: Beaches, granite rocks, island hopping.
Best Time to Visit: April to October.
How to Get There: Fly to H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport.
17. Seram Island
Seram is referred to as the nature and wildlife capital of the Maluku islands (Spice Islands). Since it has a dense rainforest and rich biodiversity.
Location: Maluku
Main Activities: Manusela National Park, bird watching.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
How to Get There: Fly to Pattimura Airport in Ambon, then travel by boat.
18. Padar Island
Padar Island, part of Komodo National Park, is an island known for its vistas, especially at the viewpoint of the crescent shaped bays.
Location: East Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Hiking, photography of striking landscapes.
Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to November.
How to Get There: Take a boat from Labuan Bajo.
19. Alor
Alor is a secluded region with a robust cultural tradition, tropical biodiversity, and an agrarian economy of fishers and farmers.
Location: East Nusa Tenggara
Main Activities: Diving, traditional ikat weaving, cultural festivals.
Best Time to Visit: May to September.
How to Get There: Flight to Alor Island Airport.
20. Weh Island
With a laid-back vibe and beautiful underwater landscapes, Weh Island in Indonesia’s Sumatra region is a well-visited diving retreat.
Location: Aceh
Main Activities: Diving, beaches, volcano hikes.
Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November.
How to Get There: Ferry from Banda Aceh, which is accessible by air.
Travel Advisories
1. Sustainable Travel
Opt for Eco-friendly Transportation: Take advantage of ferries and bikes.
Conserve Water: Use water sparingly and reuse towels.
Respect Wildlife: Follow the regulations, do not disturb any animals, and do not remove nature items.
Reduce plastic use: Bring a reusable water bottle and reusable grocery bags with you everywhere.
Choose Eco-Tours: Look for tours that are involved with local conservation and prioritize learning about ecosystems.
Please, Remember to Leave No Trace: Always remember to properly dispose of your waste when traveling outdoors.
2. Safety Advice
Local Customs: Be aware of local customs, dress appropriately, and always ask permission before taking pictures of people or in holy places.
Emergency Contacts: Write down the general emergency number 112, as well as local police and tourist assistance numbers.
Stay Informed: Keep current with travel advisories and local news about your destination.
Travel Insurance: Ensure medical emergencies, natural disasters, and theft are covered on your policy.
FAQ
1. What are the 5 main islands of Indonesia?
Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, and the five primary ones are:
Sumatra
Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei)
Sulawesi
New Guinea (only the western part is Indonesian, known as Papua, and shared with Papua New Guinea)
2. What is the nicest island in Indonesia?
Because of its beautiful landscape, rich culture and strategic location offering access to amenities and entertainment for tourists, Bali is also recognized one of the most popular tourist islands of the Indonesian archipelago.
3. How to travel between islands in Indonesia?
Air Travel: The larger and more tourist-friendly islands have airports with domestic flights ferrying passengers between the islands.
Ferries: These are used to transport people to closer islands or to islands that do not have airports. There are many ferries between islands.
Speedboats and Longboats: Speedboats for shorter trips or traveling to smaller, farther islands.
4. The name of the largest island in Indonesia?
The largest island entirely within Indonesia is Sumatra.
Larger than both Java and Sumatra, but with this eastern part shared between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, New Guinea is not completely Indonesian either.
Conclusion
Indonesia is a stunning archipelago, offering an array of islands each with its unique charm. From Bali's vibrant culture and natural beauty to the untouched serenity of the Gili Islands, there's something for every traveler.
Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, Indonesia's islands provide unforgettable experiences that showcase the country's incredible diversity and natural wonders.